James Watkins Brings Gotham and Shape-shifting Carnage to Dc’s ‘Clayface’

WHO:

Collider - James Gunn said audiences should judge “Clayface” as a horror film, not as a stepping stone toward a DC Universe crossover.

Gizmodo - Aaron Paul played Jimmy “One Nut” Hagen, Matt Hagen’s father, in a brief third-act appearance.

Variety - James Watkins directed “Clayface.”

Variety - The article discusses Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader saga.

WHAT:

Gizmodo - “Clayface” earned $24 million domestically and $19 million internationally, for $43 million worldwide.

Gizmodo - Laika’s “Wildwood” opened to $11.6 million domestically and $3 million internationally; “Wicker” earned $5.8 million in North America; “Klara and the Sun” earned $720,000 in its opening weekend.

Gizmodo - Matt briefly transforms into Jimmy to distract a gangster and punch him during an attack on Victor Szabo’s club.

Gizmodo - Watkins said Paul was originally set to appear in scenes depicting Matt’s childhood in Gotham, with Paul playing Matt’s abusive father.

Collider - Max Minghella discussed how the film created its grotesque effects.

Collider - “Clayface” earned an estimated $9.5 million on opening day, including Thursday previews; its weekend was projected at $23–25 million.

Screen Rant - Social-media responses to “Clayface” were divided, with some viewers highlighting its blend of horror and comic influences.

Variety - “Clayface” is described as an R-rated body horror film.

Variety - The film gives audiences a look at Gotham City in the rebooted DC Universe.

Variety - The article discusses a cameo identified as a spoiler and the film’s shape-shifting kills.

Reddit Movies - The post links to an article about Watkins discussing Gotham City’s introduction to the DC Universe and the film’s shape-shifting kills.

WHERE:

Variety - “Clayface” presents Gotham City as part of the rebooted DC Universe.

WHY:

Gizmodo - Watkins said he moved away from exploring “sins of the father” and chose revenge as a “more universal and relatable” theme, citing *John Wick* and *The Equalizer*.

Gizmodo - Watkins said Matt’s transformation into his father was used to help him get revenge and “probably” prove he was not his father.

Variety - Batman fans can see Gotham City in the rebooted DC Universe through “Clayface” while awaiting the next installment in Reeves and Pattinson’s Caped Crusader saga.

HOW:

Gizmodo - “Clayface”’s opening helped support Warner Bros.’ strategy of developing solo projects about Batman villains; the article mentioned “The Penguin” and a possible Poison Ivy project as examples.

Collider - “Clayface” centers its villain story on a specific genre, a choice Collider contrasted with Marvel’s approach.

Screen Rant - The film’s most shocking death was described as its strongest body-horror scene.

Screen Rant - James Watkins said he chose Matt Hagen rather than the original “Clayface” villain for the film.

Screen Rant - James Gunn said “Clayface” could factor into possible DCU crossovers and discussed his vision for a shared universe.

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 19:18 UTC)

“Clayface,” an R-rated body-horror film directed by James Watkins, earned $43 million worldwide, including $24 million domestically. James Gunn said audiences should judge it as a horror film rather than a stepping stone to a DC crossover, while the story introduces Gotham City in the rebooted DC Universe. Aaron Paul appears briefly as Matt Hagen’s father, Jimmy “One Nut” Hagen, whom Matt transforms into during a revenge-driven attack; Watkins said the film focuses on revenge rather than the “sins of the father.”

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 12:45 UTC)

James Gunn says audiences should judge “Clayface” as an R-rated horror film, not as a setup for a DC Universe crossover, while the movie introduces Gotham City in the rebooted universe. The film earned an estimated $9.5 million on opening day, including previews, and its weekend was projected at $23 million to $25 million. In a brief appearance, Aaron Paul plays Matt Hagen’s father, Jimmy “One Nut” Hagen, whom Matt transforms into during a revenge attack; director James Watkins said he chose revenge as a more relatable theme.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 21:57 UTC)

“Clayface,” an R-rated body-horror film directed by James Watkins, introduces Gotham City in the rebooted DC Universe. Aaron Paul makes a brief appearance as Jimmy “One Nut” Hagen, Matt Hagen’s father. During an attack on Victor Szabo’s club, Matt transforms into Jimmy to distract and punch a gangster. Watkins said Paul was initially meant to play Matt’s abusive father in childhood scenes, but he shifted the story away from inherited family trauma and toward revenge, which he called more universal and relatable. Matt’s transformation also helps him seek revenge and, Watkins said, probably prove he is not his father. The film earned an estimated $9.5 million on opening day, including previews, with its weekend projected at $23 million to $25 million. Audience reactions online were divided, and James Gunn said the movie could connect with possible DCU crossovers.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 20:59 UTC)

“Clayface,” directed by James Watkins, opened with an estimated $9.5 million, including Thursday previews, and its weekend was projected to reach $23 million to $25 million. The R-rated body horror film introduces audiences to Gotham City as part of the rebooted DC Universe. Its story features shape-shifting kills and a cameo treated as a spoiler. Social-media reactions have been divided, with some viewers praising the mix of horror and comic-book influences. For Batman fans, the film offers a glimpse of Gotham while they wait for the next chapter in Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader saga. DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has also said “Clayface” could play a role in possible DCU crossovers, as he shapes the shared universe.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 20:01 UTC)

James Watkins’ “Clayface” is an R-rated body horror film that offers audiences a first look at Gotham City in the rebooted DC Universe. The film brings the city into this new corner of the franchise as Batman fans await the next chapter of Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader saga. Watkins has discussed how Gotham is introduced, along with the movie’s grisly, shape-shifting kills. The story also includes a cameo that has been identified as a spoiler. Together, those elements position “Clayface” as both a horror-focused entry and a chance to see a familiar Batman setting in a different DC universe. Its version of Gotham provides a connection for fans following Reeves and Pattinson’s films, while the shape-shifting violence sets this story apart.